Justice

A new word has entered the Indian political lexicon, both Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal and Arundhati Roy used it in their most recent pieces. Now justice replaces poverty and territorial occupation as the prime cause behind the [...] attacks.

There are two Justice related cases that are currently being discussed on prime time TV.

The first is the encounter killing of three youths suspected of throwing acid on two female college students. The first set of victims - the girls, were grievously injured and disfigured from the acid attacks, they are currently battling for life in a Hospital. Doctors and nurses are battling hard to keep politicians away who are thronging in large numbers for a darshan of the girls. The visits can cause infection. We are assuming the hospital charges are free. The politician photo-op with acid disfigured girls: priceless. The second set of "victims", i.e. the perps of the acid attack were shot and killed in police custody in what was described by the police as encounter killing. This thing happened in Hyderabad.

The second incident comes from Sheilaji's Delhi. Big SUV vs. small family sedan, alcohol involved. Wedding party - check. Final score: 5-0 in favor of SUV. This second incident has taken a curious turn because people allege that the cops did a switcheroo. The actual perp is missing and they arrested a teenager in his place. People are angry, demonstrations etc. taking place. This is what we call a live action version of an episode from The White Tiger, the 2008 Booker Prize winning novel by Aravind Adiga.

Just a few days ago we were so eager to change our society and punish evil politicians, fix broken institutions. But cricket season has started, a new Miss World runner up needs TV time.

As a passing thought, both the states happen to be Congress ruled, not that we mean anything by that. In any case, it just doesn't matter, does it?